Trotters a tough nut to crack

Tony Mowbray believes Bolton Wanderers will be "a hard nut to crack" ahead of the short trip south this weekend.

The Trotters have had a decent start to the campaign and sit level on points with Rovers but a place behind in the Championship table.

And although Tony is eager to see in the two-week international break with a victory, he knows just how difficult Phil Parkinson's men will make it for his side.

“A good performance and a win would be nice, but we’re also wary that we’ll come up against an opponent who works extremely hard," he said.

“Bolton are a side who beat Derby County 1-0 in a recent home game, and we felt that quality of Derby a few weeks ago when we went to Pride Park.

“Watching the games Bolton have played in recent weeks, they are going to be a hard nut to crack. They are well organised, get the ball forward early, put crosses in the box."

The boss is also keen for his team to get back to being resolute at the back and claim a shutout and a clean sheet.

“We’ll certainly have to defend better from crosses than we have done in recent weeks. We have to get back to getting clean sheets," he added.

“We’ve lost two goals in each of our last four games, so that needs to improve. We’ve a tough selection for approaching this game, but first and foremost we’ll go into it making sure we don’t get out-worked.

“Let’s use the bit of quality we have at times to unlock a good, hardworking team to get the points."